tracks77

Yes. I witness to the lost. Sometime ago I began praying for the Lord to break my hardend heart and give me a burden for the lost. Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NASB) 25"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Before that I would witness when it was convenient because I believed it was my duty as a christian. Now I have a longing to touch and change people's lives with the love of Jesus Christ. I will pray for the Lord to allow me to share His message with someone that day and He always opens the door for me to do so.

Rob Bell is one of my favorite speakers. The man's communication skills and his messages are outstanding. (I really liked the part about Adam naming the animals. LOL!!!)

Ask the person to relate to you their salvation experiance. Where they're heart is really at right now may not reflect whether or not they are a christian.

You got my attention.

Cupped hands.

My dad is a pastor and for years, he has been requiring pre-marital counseling before he will marry a couple. It's a great idea and allows the couple to really see where they stand on issues of life and marriage amoung other things.

I'm with you on the way I understand this scripture. The New Living Translation makes it clearer: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God

If it's in thought and not in action, it's between you and God.

Pillar: http://www.christianbook.com/pillar/confes...mp;view=details If you like christian rock, check it out.

I'm not trying to stir the pot but, how can God control our desires when they are bad ones? I've never studied the predestination belief so, that may disqualify me.

This may be a little above my head but... I don't feel that God is ever surprised. His will is that we have free will and consequently bad things happen but, He doesn't will anything but good for us. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

To the best of my memory, I heard a preacher use this explanation. There's a good chance that I didn't get it quite right. Sorry! I did a short serch and found references to coals being carried in clay pot shards on the head. This was done to enable a neighbor to start a fire. I also feel that if we avenge ourselves, we deserve the vengence do to us. Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Thank you. Pesonally, I have to do my best to focus my life on God's love. If I stray into resentment an even revenge, I become seperated from the joy of feeling God's presence.

My first post here. I saw this topic and feel that I have a good explanation. Back in the days of travel by foot, it was difficult to get a fire started while traveling. (no matches) The solution to this problem was to wrap coals from the campfire and carry them on your head to the next campsite. Then you were able to start the dinner fire more easily. "heap coals of fire on his head" is a reference to loving your enemy.